On the Biodiversity Hotspot of Large Branchiopods (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) in the Central Paroo in Semi-Arid Australia

Abstract

Biodiversity is central to the structure and functioning of communities including those of temporary water bodies. Worldwide the large branchiopod component commonly consists up to about six species instantaneously per site and twice that number across the surrounding district. Where these figures reach eight to ten species per site and about twice that number per district, the term diversity hotspot is sometimes used. In eastern Australia, biogeographical factors have facilitated a rich large branchiopod fauna ca 80 species and locally within 500 km2 of the central Paroo in northwestern New South Wales where a rarely diverse and abundant array of habitats supports at least 38 species, though the maximum per site syntopically is still near 10 species — we suggest it be termed a super hotspot.